Panasonic Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW/RAM Recorder/VCR Combo with ATSC Tuner - Black

...

since my stereo has only digital coax for DVD input, and the unit has only digital optical, I need to run the audio through the HDMI to the TV, then run a digital cable from the TV to the stereo, so there's a slight time lag between sound and picture. If you output sound through the TV speakers this won't be a problem. (You could also hook up the digital optical to another input you're not using, like TAPE input, but then you don't get full audio features, at least on my stereo.)

A much bigger problem is the video input. There is no component input (let alone HDMI input). So, if you have Tivo'ed or DVR'ed an HD show, the best you can do is send it via S-video to the Panasonic recorder (then you need separate L/R analog audio cables as well). (If you don't have s-video, you can use the composite or RF, which is what..1970s technology?) I know DVD recorders can't record HD, but still, there's no reason to make us downgrade the signal that much. (I recorded to DVD+RW; they're cheaper then VCR tapes and much better, so why record to VCR?!)

That brings me to the DVD recording. Once you figure out the menus and system, it's pretty easy. BUT, after 1/2 hour on the phone with Panasonic tech support, even they couldn't explain why it was converting full-screen recordings (on my DVR) to letterbox format on the DVD. Turns out it just does this with HD channels; if you're recording digital (non-HD) then it doesn't do the letterbox trick. But that annoyance is making me look for a new unit.

That being said, it records double layer (DL) DVDs, which buys a lot of extra recording time without sacrificing quality. And the (nearly) one-touch VCR-DVD dubbing is nice (though I think all brands now have this). Unfortunately, so far the EZ48 does a lousy job of upconverting pre-recorded DVDs. It's 1080p upconversion of DVDs does not approach the quality or resolution of similar programming on native HD channels (in lower resolutions of 720p and 1080i).

I tried dubbing one VHS tape to DVD. It produced a horrible scratching sound, not present when I play the tape in my old Sony VHS machine. If you're going to buy a unit to convert VHS to DVD, it should play VHS tapes in better quality (the Sonys have 4-head units).

Finally, when I went to turn the unit off, it did -- then turned right back on. After 5 minutes of turning it off, watching it say "BYE" then watching it turn on again, I just unplugged the damn thing. Happened again today. Tech support was not particularly helpful with this one. (Then again, tech support also insisted the first time I called that the 4:3 TV settings were important, even though I have my unit outputting via HDMI to a 16:9 TV. At least today's tech support acknoweldged the woman yesterday was wrong.)

This unit definitely has some problems. So far, I haven't seen that it's worth the money to do what its competitors can do (most for less money) -- although few others can record to DL DVDs. So, looks like I'm biding time until someone comes out with a Blue-ray that records DVDs, has HDMI input for Tivos and DVRs and both digital optical and coax outputs, and turns off and stays off....

Panasonic Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW/RAM Recorder/VCR Combo with ATSC Tuner - Black

...

since my stereo has only digital coax for DVD input, and the unit has only digital optical, I need to run the audio through the HDMI to the TV, then run a digital cable from the TV to the stereo, so there's a slight time lag between sound and picture. If you output sound through the TV speakers this won't be a problem. (You could also hook up the digital optical to another input you're not using, like TAPE input, but then you don't get full audio features, at least on my stereo.)



A much bigger problem is the video input. There is no component input (let alone HDMI input). So, if you have Tivo'ed or DVR'ed an HD show, the best you can do is send it via S-video to the Panasonic recorder (then you need separate L/R analog audio cables as well). (If you don't have s-video, you can use the composite or RF, which is what..1970s technology?) I know DVD recorders can't record HD, but still, there's no reason to make us downgrade the signal that much. (I recorded to DVD+RW; they're cheaper then VCR tapes and much better, so why record to VCR?!)



That brings me to the DVD recording. Once you figure out the menus and system, it's pretty easy. BUT, after 1/2 hour on the phone with Panasonic tech support, even they couldn't explain why it was converting full-screen recordings (on my DVR) to letterbox format on the DVD. Turns out it just does this with HD channels; if you're recording digital (non-HD) then it doesn't do the letterbox trick. But that annoyance is making me look for a new unit.



That being said, it records double layer (DL) DVDs, which buys a lot of extra recording time without sacrificing quality. And the (nearly) one-touch VCR-DVD dubbing is nice (though I think all brands now have this). Unfortunately, so far the EZ48 does a lousy job of upconverting pre-recorded DVDs. It's 1080p upconversion of DVDs does not approach the quality or resolution of similar programming on native HD channels (in lower resolutions of 720p and 1080i).



I tried dubbing one VHS tape to DVD. It produced a horrible scratching sound, not present when I play the tape in my old Sony VHS machine. If you're going to buy a unit to convert VHS to DVD, it should play VHS tapes in better quality (the Sonys have 4-head units).



Finally, when I went to turn the unit off, it did -- then turned right back on. After 5 minutes of turning it off, watching it say "BYE" then watching it turn on again, I just unplugged the damn thing. Happened again today. Tech support was not particularly helpful with this one. (Then again, tech support also insisted the first time I called that the 4:3 TV settings were important, even though I have my unit outputting via HDMI to a 16:9 TV. At least today's tech support acknoweldged the woman yesterday was wrong.)



This unit definitely has some problems. So far, I haven't seen that it's worth the money to do what its competitors can do (most for less money) -- although few others can record to DL DVDs. So, looks like I'm biding time until someone comes out with a Blue-ray that records DVDs, has HDMI input for Tivos and DVRs and both digital optical and coax outputs, and turns off and stays off....

Panasonic Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW/RAM Recorder/VCR Combo with ATSC Tuner - Black

...

the source VHS tape due to the noise reduction. I've also had excellent results recording my favorite TV programs (particularly movies from AMC and TCM). In the two months I've had this player, I've recorded just over 40 movies for personal use.

As others have suggested, DVD-RAM disks are a must-have for this player, particularly for recording TV programs you want to later delete. DVD-RAM disks give you a Tivo-like experience, and you can pause and rewind the program while the rest of the program is being recorded. And DVD-RAM disks allow you record over and over thousands of times.

Caution about dual-layer DVD+R disks:
The only problem I had with this player is with dual-layer DVD+R disks. When recording multiple programs in sequence, the player can get "confused" with the layer change in the dual layer disk. It corrupted two disks, making them unreadable. And it required me to power off and power on in order to eject the corrupted disks.

Anyway, I found that that recording dual layer DVD+R disks works perfectly when I recorded a single long program that spans both layers.

Overall, I have high praise for this player!